Core assembly for air conditioner and air conditioner having the same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are a core assembly for an air conditioner, and an air conditioner having the same. Since a core is formed in a consecutive ring shape, an impedance with respect to an electric signal is improved to enhance a communication performance through a refrigerant pipe. Furthermore, as the core or a core holder is integrally formed at a connection pipe, the refrigerant pipe is prevented from vibrating or moving by installation circumstances. This may enhance a communication performance much more. Besides, since a connector is provided at the core holder or a signal line, detachable mounting of the connector to the signal line may be facilitated. This may simplify the assembly processes and maintenance procedures, thereby reducing the costs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO a RELATED APPLICATION

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Applications 10-2010-0021466, filed on Mar. 10, 2010, and 10-2010-0021469 filed on Mar. 10, 2010, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an air conditioner capable of transmitting a signal by using pipes between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and is particularly, to a core assembly capable of implementing an impedance with respect to an electric signal and an air conditioner having the same.

2. Background of the Invention

Generally, an air conditioner is classified into an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are electrically connected to each other so that an electric signal can be transmitted therebetween. However, in a case that a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit in parallel, or in a case that a refrigerant pipe is installed in a wall of a building and a plurality of indoor units are connected to the refrigerant pipe in parallel, it is difficult to electrically connect the indoor units to the outdoor units having a smaller number than the indoor units.

To solve this problem, has been proposed a technique for transmitting and receiving an electric signal by using a refrigerant pipe which connects a plurality of indoor units to outdoor units having a smaller number than the indoor units. For instance, an electric insulation device is provided at a gas side refrigerant pipe (hereinafter, will be referred to as ‘gas pipe’) and a liquid side refrigerant pipe (hereinafter, will be referred to as ‘liquid pipe’) of each of an indoor unit side and an outdoor unit side. A control board is connected to the gas pipe and the liquid pipe of the indoor unit, and a control board is connected to the gas pipe and the liquid pipe of the outdoor unit. The gas pipe and the liquid pipe are used as communication means for transmitting control signals between the indoor units and the outdoor unit.

In order to enhance a communication function, the refrigerant pipe is provided with a core assembly implementing an impedance with respect to an alternating current electric signal. The core assembly is implemented such that a pair of cores having a hemispherical sectional surface are accommodate in a core holder, and are coupled to the core holder so as to encompass the refrigerant pipe. Signal terminals for electrically connecting the refrigerant pipe and the respective control boards are coupled to the core holder so as to contact the refrigerant pipe.

The signal terminal consists of a contact metallic portion having an inner circumferential surface of one side end contacting the pipe, and a signal transmitting connection portion connected to a signal line by being integrally extending from the contact metallic portion.

However, the conventional air conditioner may have the following problems.

Firstly, the core assembly is installed at the refrigerant pipe so as to have an impedance when transmitting and receiving an electric signal through the refrigerant pipe. In order to enhance an impedance of the core assembly, the core is preferably formed to have a consecutive shape in a circumferential direction, i.e., a cylindrical shape. However, since the core assembly is later coupled to the refrigerant pipe in a fitting manner in a state that the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected to each other by the refrigerant pipe, the core is formed to have a hemispheric shape. This may reduce an impedance of the core assembly.

Secondly, since the core of the core assembly is separated from the core assembly little by little due to vibration of the refrigerant pipe, an impedance may be changed. This may cause lowering of a communication performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a core assembly for an air conditioner capable of enhancing an impedance by forming a core of the core assembly in a cylindrical shape, and an air conditioner having the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a core assembly for an air conditioner capable of enhancing a communication performance by preventing changes of an impedance by allowing a position of a core not to be changed even if a refrigerant pipe vibrates, and an air conditioner having the same.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a core assembly for an air conditioner, comprising: a connection pipe for connecting to a refrigerant pipe that passes refrigerant between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of an air conditioner; a core encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe, wherein the core is configured to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe; and a core holder configured to accommodate the core therein, wherein the core holder is integrally coupled to the connection pipe.

Contact surfaces of the core holder and the connection pipe may be bonded together via a bonding force between the contact surface of the core holder and the contact surface of the connection pipe.

The connection pipe may includes a first connector at a first end of the connection pipe and a second connector at a second end of the connection pipe, wherein the first and second connector are configured to connect to the refrigerant pipe by screw-coupling or by bonding.

The core may be formed in a ring shape and may include one or more sections arranged along a lengthwise direction of the connection pipe.

A portion of the core holder may be between an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe and an inner circumferential surface of the core.

A signal terminal may be coupled to the connection pipe and configured to transmit and/or receive an electric signal through the refrigerant pipe by contacting the connection pipe, wherein the signal terminal is individually coupled to the core holder.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a core assembly for an air conditioner, comprising: a connection pipe for connecting to a refrigerant pipe that passes refrigerant between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of an air conditioner; and a core encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe, wherein the core is configured to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe, wherein the core is formed in a ring shape and is integrally coupled to the connection pipe.

Contact surfaces of the core and the connection pipe may be bonded together via a bonding force between the contact surface of the core and the contact surface of the connection pipe.

The core may be formed of a powder type-soft magnetic substance.

The connection pipe may include a first connector at a first end of the connection pipe and a second connector at a second end of the connection pipe.

The first and second connectors may be configured to connect to the refrigerant pipe by screw-coupling or by bonding.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner, comprising: a core assembly configured to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through a refrigerant pipe is that passes refrigerant between an outdoor unit heat exchanger and an indoor unit heat exchanger, wherein the core assembly includes a first connector that connects to a connector of the outdoor unit heat exchanger or the indoor unit heat exchanger and a second connector that connects to a connector of the refrigerant pipe.

Either the first connector or the second connector may connect by bolts and nuts or by welding. The core assembly may include: a connection pipe that connects to the refrigerant pipe; a core encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe, wherein the core is configured to implement the impedance with respect to the electric signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe; and a signal terminal configured to transmit and/or receive an electric signal through the refrigerant pipe.

A core holder may be configured to accommodate the core therein, wherein the core holder is integrally coupled to the connection pipe.

The core may be formed in a ring shape and may be implemented as a plurality of partial cores having an arc shape.

The signal terminal may be coupled to the connection pipe by being separated from the core holder.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a core assembly for an air conditioner, comprising: a core configured to encompass an outer circumferential surface of a pipe and to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through the pipe; a core holder configured to accommodate at least a portion of the core therein; a signal terminal configured to transmit and/or receive an electric signal through the pipe by contacting the pipe; and a terminal pin penetrating the core holder for passing the electric signal is between the signal terminal and an external electrical connector.

The core may include a plurality of partial cores.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a systematic view of an air conditioner having a signal transmission device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state that a core assembly has been separated from an outdoor unit in a signal coupler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the core assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line ‘I-I’ in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a core and a core holder of the core assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a core assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a core assembly according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a core of the core assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a disassembled perspective view of the core assembly of FIG. 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a part of a core holder of the core assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a state that a connector of FIG. 10 has been coupled to the core holder; and

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views showing positions of terminal pins of the core assembly of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a core assembly for an air conditioner, and an air conditioner having the same according to the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a systematic view of an air conditioner having a signal transmission device according to the present invention.

As shown, the air conditioner according to the present invention largely comprises an outdoor unit 10 and an indoor unit 20. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are arranged in a state that an external wall of a building is disposed therebetween, and are connected to each other through a gas pipe 30 and a liquid pipe 40.

The outdoor unit 10 includes an outdoor unit side heat exchanger 11, an outdoor unit controller 12, and an outdoor unit signal coupler 13. The outdoor unit controller 12 exchanges a control signal with the outdoor unit side heat exchanger 11 by using an alternating current as a medium. And, the alternating current control signal outputted from the outdoor unit controller 12 is transmitted to the indoor unit 20 via the outdoor unit signal coupler 13, through one of the gas pipe 30 and the liquid pipe 40, or through both of the two pipes 30 and 40.

The indoor unit 20 includes an indoor unit side heat exchanger 21, an indoor unit controller 22, and an indoor unit signal coupler 23. The indoor unit controller 22 exchanges a control signal with the indoor unit side heat exchanger 21 by using an alternating current as a medium. And, the alternating current control signal outputted from the indoor unit controller 22 is transmitted to the outdoor unit 10 via the indoor unit signal coupler 23, through one of the gas pipe 30 and the liquid pipe 40, or through both of the two pipes 30 and 40.

The outdoor unit signal coupler 13 and the indoor unit signal coupler 23 have cores formed of a magnetic material and having an inductance corresponding to a winding number of 1, and are coupled to the gas pipe 30 and the liquid pipe 40 so as to encompass them, respectively.

For instance, in case of a toroidal core having an inner radius (R1), an outer radius (R2), a height (h) and magnetic permeability (p), an inductance (L) satisfies a following formula, L=(μh/2π)In(R2/R1), and an impedance (Z) with respect to an alternating current control signal of a frequency (f) satisfies a following formula, Z=j2πfL. Accordingly, with respect to the alternating current control signal transmitted by the outdoor unit controller 12, the outdoor unit side heat exchanger 11 has a transmission line implementing an impedance of 2*Z. is Once an alternating current signal flows to the refrigerant pipes 30 and 40 installed between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20, the alternating current is decreased according to a distance due to a transmission line impedance (Zo) of the pipes. The transmission line impedance (Zo) is proportional to a distance, and an alternating current signal used to detect lengths of the refrigerant pipes 30 and 40 has a strength decreased by the transmission line impedance (Zo) and the signal couplers 13 and 23. That is, based on the impedance of the signal couplers and 23 and the strength of the alternating current signal of the transmission/reception terminals, distance information may be calculated.

Under the above configurations, the refrigerant pipes may be used as a transmission line for a distance detecting signal. This may allow a pipe length between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit used to calculate a refrigerant amount to be automatically calculated.

Hereinafter, the outdoor unit signal coupler installed at the liquid pipe will be explained in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit signal coupler 13 includes a core assembly 100 implementing an impedance. The core assembly 100 is implemented as a modularized connection pipe so as to be screw-coupled or welded to the refrigerant pipe 40 disposed between the outdoor unit side heat exchanger provided at the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit side heat exchanger m provided at the indoor unit 20. To this, a connection portion to be connected to a connection pipe 110 of the core assembly 100 which will be later explained has to be formed at a position where the core assembly 100 is to be coupled, i.e., near the outdoor unit 10 or the indoor unit 20 (near the indoor unit 20 in the preferred embodiment).

The connection portion consists of a first connection portion 25 and a fourth connection portion 41. The first connection portion 25 is formed at the end of the indoor unit side heat exchanger exposed to one side of an indoor unit case, and is connected to a second connection portion 111 of the connection pipe 110 to be later explained. The fourth connection portion 41 is formed at the end of the refrigerant pipe 40 to be connected to the indoor unit side heat exchanger, and is connected to a third connection portion 112 of the connection pipe 110 to be later explained in a state that the connection pipe 110 of the core assembly 100 is disposed therebetween.

Both of the first connection portion 25 and the fourth connection portion 41 may be implemented as flare nuts or flare bolts for screw-coupling, or may be provided with a flange for coupling in a welding manner. Here, one of the first connection portion 25 and the fourth connection portion 41 may be formed so as to be screw-coupled, and another thereof may be formed so as to be coupled in a welding manner. Alternatively, the first connection portion 25 and the fourth connection portion 41 may be implemented as any means to be hermetically connected to the second connection portion 111 and the third connection portion 112, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the core assembly 100 comprises a connection pipe 110 connected to the refrigerant pipe 40, a core 120 formed to encompass the connection pipe 110 and having magnetism, and a core holder 130 having the core 120 accommodated therein and integrally coupled to the connection pipe 110 so that the core 120 can be fixed in a state to encompass the connection pipe 110.

Preferably, the connection pipe 110 is formed of the same material and formed to have the same size as the refrigerant pipe 40. At one end of the connection pipe 110, formed is the second connection portion 111 connected to the first connection portion 25 of the indoor unit 20. At another end of the connection pipe 110, formed is the third connection portion 112 connected to the fourth connection portion 41 of the refrigerant pipe 40.

The second connection portion 111 and the third connection portion 112 may be formed to have shapes for coupling to the first connection portion 25 and the fourth connection portion 41, respectively. Namely, the second connection portion 111 and the third connection portion 112 may be formed to have shapes of press nuts or press bolts, or flanges for welding.

The core 120 is formed to have a ring shape so as to be inserted into the connection pipe 110. The core 120 may be formed to have an inner diameter approximately equal to or a little larger than an outer diameter of the connection pipe 110. If the inner diameter of the core 120 is larger than the outer diameter of the connection pipe 110, molding liquid may be introduced between the connection pipe 110 and the core 120 thus to be hardened when molding the core holder 130. The core 120 may be arranged in plurality in number in a lengthwise direction of the connection pipe 110. Alternatively, the core 120 may be implemented as partial core pieces divided from each other into two based on a central axial line and assembled to each other as a cylindrical shape having a predetermined length. However, the core having an arc shape may have an to impedance reduced by 30˜40% than that of a core having a ring shape. Accordingly, it is not preferable to form the core in an arc shape.

The core holder 130 may be formed of an insulating material such as plastic or rubber. Here, the material of the core holder 130 may become different according to a coupling method of the connection pipe 110. For instance, as shown in FIG. 3, when the connection pipe 110 is screw-coupled to the connection pipe 110, the core holder 130 may be formed of either plastic or rubber. However, as shown in FIG. 6, when the connection pipe 110 is coupled to the connection pipe 110 by welding, the core holder 130 may be formed of plastic having large resistance against heat, rather than rubber having small resistance against heat, since the core holder 130 may be melted by heat generated during the welding.

The core holder 130 may be formed in a molding manner by injecting a molding material on an outer circumferential surface of the core 120. In this case, the molding material of the core holder 130 may be disposed between the connection pipe 110 and the core 120, thereby more stably fixing the core 120.

Signal terminals 141 and 142 configured to transmit and receive signals transmitted through the refrigerant pipe 40 by contacting the connection pipe 110 may be coupled to both sides of the connection pipe 110, i.e., outside the core holder 130. The signal terminals 141 and 142 may be implemented as any means to be assembled to the connection pipe 110, for example, clips.

Terminal portions may be extending from both ends of the core holder 130, and the signal terminals 141 and 142 may be provided on inner circumferential surfaces of the terminal portions.

Connectors having the signal terminals may be provided on outer circumferential surfaces of the terminal portions. The connectors having signal lines may be simply connected to the core assembly after connecting the core assembly to the pipe.

The core assembly for an air conditioner according to the present invention may have the following effects.

The core 120 having been inserted onto the connection pipe 110 is put into a metallic cavity (not shown), and a melting material formed of plastic or rubber is injected into the metallic cavity. While being introduced into the metallic cavity, the melting material encompasses the core 120 thus to be adhered to the connection pipe 110.

As a predetermined time lapses, the melting material is hardened to form the core holder 130 which encompasses the core 120, and the core holder 130 is integrally coupled to the connection pipe 110. Accordingly, the core holder 130 supports the core 120, and the core 120 is integrally coupled to the connection pipe 110.

Then, the core assembly 100 having the core holder 130 is separated from the metallic cavity, thereby forming the second connection portion 111 and the third connection portion 112 at both ends of the connection pipe, respectively. When the first connection portion 25 and the fourth connection portion 41 are implemented as flare bolts and flare nuts, flare nuts and flare bolts are coupled to both ends of the connection pipe 110. The second connection portion 111 and the third connection portion 112 are formed according to connection types to the first connection portion 25 and the fourth connection portion 41, respectively.

Before connecting the refrigerant pipe 40 connected to the outdoor unit side heat exchanger to the indoor unit side heat exchanger, the core assembly 100 is connected between the refrigerant pipe 40 and the indoor unit side heat exchanger.

More concretely, the second connection portion 111 of the core assembly 100 is connected to the first connection portion 25 provided at an outer periphery of the indoor unit case, and the third connection portion 112 of the core assembly 100 is connected to the fourth connection portion 41 provided at the end of the refrigerant pipe 40.

Signal lines or connectors are connected to the signal terminals 141 and 142 so that an electric signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe 40 can be transmitted to a control board. An impedance with respect to the electric signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe 40 is implemented by the core 120, thereby enhancing a communication performance.

In the case that the core is formed in a ring shape, an impedance is more enhanced by approximately 30˜40% than the case that the core is formed in an arc shape. This may enhance a communication performance through the refrigerant pipe.

Furthermore, as the core or the core holder is integrally formed at the connection pipe, the refrigerant pipe is prevented from vibrating or moving by installation circumstances. This may enhance a communication performance much more.

Hereinafter, a core assembly for an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail.

In the aforementioned embodiment, an additional melting material is injected into an outer circumferential surface of the core, thereby forming the core holder which encompasses the core. However, in the preferred embodiment, the core holder is not additionally formed, but the core is integrally formed at the connection pipe.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the core assembly 200 according to this preferred embodiment comprises a connection pipe 210, and a core 220 formed on an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe 210 by a powder metallurgical method.

The core 220 may be formed of a powder type-soft magnetic substance. Preferably, the core 220 is formed in a ring shape. However, for enhanced impedance, the core 220 may be formed in an arc shape.

Other configurations and effects of the core assembly 200 are similar to those of the aforementioned embodiment, and their detailed explanations will be omitted. In this preferred embodiment, since an additional core holder is not required, the entire fabrication processes are simplified to reduce the fabrication costs. Furthermore, since deformation of the connection pipe due to heat does not occur when connecting the connection pipe to the refrigerant pipe, various connection methods may be selected according to operation conditions. Unexplained reference numerals 211 and 212 denote connection portions, and 241 and 242 denote signal terminals.

The core assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail as follows.

In the aforementioned core assembly, each core holder is formed by using a metallic cavity, or the core is coupled to the connection pipe by removing the core holder. However, in this preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, one pair of hemicyclic holder pieces are coupled to each other to form a cylindrical shape.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the core assembly 100 comprises a connection to pipe 110, a core 120 encompassing the connection pipe and formed of magnetic material, a core holder 130 accommodating the core 120 therein and allowing the core 120 to encompass the connection pipe 110, a first signal terminal 141 and a second signal terminal 142 provided on two inner circumferential surfaces of the core holder 130 and configured to transmit a signal transmitted through the connection pipe (refrigerant pipe) 110 to the outdoor unit controller 12, and a connector 150 configured to electrically connect the first signal terminal 141 and the second signal terminal 142 to a pipe communication control board.

The core 120 consists of a plurality of partial cores 121, 122, 123 and 124 divided from each other based on a central axial line in a lengthwise direction (divided into two in the drawings), and assembled to each other in a cylindrical shape having a predetermined length.

In the case that the partial cores 121,122, 123 and 124 are consecutively arranged in a lengthwise direction as a plurality of pairs of partial cores, processes are more facilitated than the case that the partial cores are long formed as one pair of partial cores. This may reduce the fabrication costs. However, implementing a plurality of pairs of partial cores may have impedance effects lower than those when implementing one pair of partial cores.

The core 120 is formed to have an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the connection pipe 110, so as to be universally applied to the connection pipe 110 having various sizes.

Like the core 120, the core holder 130 consists of partial holders 131 and 132 divided from each other into two based on a central axial line in a lengthwise direction, and assembled to each other in a cylindrical shape having a length long enough to accommodate the core 120 therein. At one side of the two partial holders 131 and 132 in a widthwise direction, hinge recesses 1311 and hinge protrusions 1321 are formed so that the partial holders 131 and 132 can be rotatably coupled thereto. At another side of the two partial holders 131 and 132 in a widthwise direction, a plurality of detachable recesses 1312 and detachable protrusions 1322 are formed so that the partial holders 131 and 132 can be detachably coupled thereto.

The partial holders 131 and 132 are provided therein with hemicyclic accommodation spaces 1313, 1314 and 1323, 1324, respectively. Here, the accommodation spaces 1313,1314 and 1323,1324 may be implemented as a single space, respectively. Alternatively, the accommodation spaces 1313,1314 and 1323,1324 may be implemented as a plurality of spaces divided from each other in a lengthwise direction according to the shapes of the partial holders 131 and 132. For instance, as shown in FIG. 9, at least one partitioning protrusion 1315 and 1325 may be formed between the accommodation spaces 1313 and 1314, and between the accommodation spaces 1323 and 1324 of the partial holders 131 and 132 in a lengthwise direction.

The partitioning protrusions 1315 and 1325 may be formed to have a height high enough to be interposed between the partial cores 121 and 123, and between the partial cores 122 and 124, respectively, so as to divide the partial cores 121 and 123 from each other, and so as to divide the partial cores 122 and 124 from each other. That is, the partitioning protrusions 1315 and 1325 may be formed to have the same shape and size as edges of both sides of the partial holders 131 and 132. However, the partitioning protrusions 1315 and 1325 may be formed to have a height high enough for corresponding surfaces of the partial cores 121, 123 and 122, 124 to partially contact, i.e., a height less than a thickness of the partial cores 121, 123 and 122, 124.

Preferably, locking protrusions 1316 and 1326 configured to prevent the partial cores 121,122, 123 and 124 from sliding in a circumferential direction during an assembly process are formed at both sides of the respective accommodation spaces 1313,1314 and 1323,1324.

The locking protrusions 1316 and 1326 may be evenly formed in a circumferential direction of the partial holders 131 and 132. However, in order to prevent separation of the partial cores 121,122, 123 and 124, the locking protrusions 1316 and 1326 are preferably formed at an opposite side based on an insertion direction of the partial cores 121,122, 123 and 124, i.e., at a lower side when assembling the two partial holders 131 and 132. For instance, the locking protrusions 1316 and 1326 are preferably formed towards a hinge side where the partial holders 131 and 132 are rotatably coupled to each other, because the partial cores 121,122, 123 and 124 are inserted from the sides of the detachable recess 1312 and the detachable protrusion 1322 which are later assembled when assembling the partial holders 131 and 132. Stepped portions 1211, 1221, 1231 and 1241 configured to lock the locking protrusions 1316 and 1326 may be formed at edges of the partial cores 121,122, 123 and 124.

A first terminal recess 1317 and a second terminal recess 1318 having a predetermined depth so as to fix the first signal terminal 141 and the second signal terminal 142, respectively may be formed at both ends of the partial holders 131 and 132.

A first terminal pin 1417 and a second terminal pin 1427 configured to electrically connect the signal terminals 141 and 142 to the connector 150 respectively are connected to the first signal terminal 141 and the second signal terminal 142. The first terminal pin 1417 and the second terminal pin 1427 may be provided at the first terminal recess 1317 and a second terminal recess 1318, respectively. However, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first terminal pin 1417 and the second terminal pin 1427 may be buried at one terminal recess (the second terminal recess 1318 in the drawings) of the two terminal recesses 1317 and 1318, and a conductive wire 143 may be withdrawn from the other terminal recess (the first terminal recess 1317 in the drawings) thus to be connected to the first terminal pin 1417. In this case, a conductive wire recess (not shown) configured to bury the conductive wire 143 may be preferably formed at the first partial holder 131 along an edge surface of the first partial holder 131. And, a protrusion 1319 configured to prevent shortening between the first terminal pin 1417 and the second terminal pin 1427 may be preferably formed at the second terminal recess 1318.

The first terminal pin 1417 and the second terminal pin 1427 are formed in a cylindrical shape for inserting connection pins 1521 and 1522 of the connector 150 to be later explained, and are coupled to the second terminal recess 1318 of the core holder 130 in a penetrating manner from an inner circumferential surface to an outer circumferential surface of the second terminal recess 1318.

The connector 150 includes a connector body 151 formed at the end of a signal line of the controller, and a plurality of connection pins 1521 and 1522 formed of a conductive material, and having a predetermined length long enough to be protruding from the connector body 151 thus to be inserted into the first terminal pin 1417 and the second terminal pin 1427. The plurality of connection pins 1521 and 1522 consist of a signal side connection pin 1521 and a ground side connection pin 1522.

The core assembly for an air conditioner, and the air conditioner having the same according to the present invention have the following advantages.

The cores 121,122, 123 and 124 are inserted into the accommodation spaces 1313, 1314, 1323 and 1324 of the partial holders 131 and 132. Here, the cores 121,122, 123 and 124 are inserted into one opened ends of the partial holders 131 and 132, i.e., the hinge protrusions or the hinge recesses, from the detachable protrusions or the detachable recesses, thereby being inserted into the accommodation spaces 1313,1314, 1323 and 1324 by sliding toward a circumferential direction.

While the cores 121,122, 123 and 124 are slid to two side surfaces of the accommodation spaces 1313,1314, 1323 and 1324 of the core holders 131 and 132, the ends of the cores 121,122, 123 and 124 are locked by the locking protrusions 1316 and 1326 provided at inner ends of the accommodation spaces 1313,1314, 1323 and 1324. Accordingly, the insertion of the cores 121,122, 123 and 124 to the accommodation spaces 1313,1314, 1323 and 1324 is completed.

Then, the core holders 131 and 132 of the core assembly 100 are widened to two sides, and the core assembly 100 is inserted onto the refrigerant pipe 40. Then, the detachable protrusion 1322 is fitted into the detachable recess 1312 of the core holder 130, thereby fixing the core holder 130 to the connection pipe 110.

Under these configurations, signal lines are connected to the first signal terminal 141 and the second signal terminal 142 provided at the core holder 130 or the connection pipe 110, so that electric signals transmitted through the connection pipe 110 can be transmitted to the outdoor unit controller 12.

Here, the first terminal pin 1417 and the second terminal pin 1427 are buried at the second terminal recess 1318 of the core holder 130 for inserting the second signal terminal 142, in a penetrating manner toward a radius direction. Accordingly, the connection pins 1521 and 1522 of the connector 150 provided at the ends of the signal line are inserted into the first terminal pin 1417 and the second terminal pin 1427, thereby connecting the signal line to the signal terminals.

The core assembly according to this preferred embodiment has similar effects to those of the core assembly according to the aforementioned embodiment. In this preferred embodiment, since the connector is provided at the core holder or the signal line, detachable mounting of the connector to the signal line may be facilitated. This may simplify the assembly processes and maintenance procedures, thereby reducing the costs.

The core holder for an air conditioner according to the another embodiment of the present invention will be explained as follows.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the core holder is provided with a plurality of terminal pins at one end thereof. However, in this preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a first terminal pin 2417 and a second terminal pin 2427 individually contacting the first signal terminal 241 and the second signal terminal 242 are provided at both ends of the core holder 231. And, the first terminal pin 2417 and the second terminal pin 2427 are individually connected to a first connector 251 and a second connector 252. In this case, the shapes of the terminal pins 2417 and 2427, or the connectors 251 and 252 are same as those of the aforementioned embodiment, and thus their detailed explanations will be omitted. Here, the core assembly according to this preferred embodiment has the same effects as the core assembly according to the aforementioned embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, a first terminal pin 3417 and a second terminal pin 3427 may be formed at an intermediate part of a core holder 331, such that a first signal terminal 341 and a second signal terminal 342 provided at both ends of the core holder 331 are electrically connected to the first terminal pin 3417 and the second terminal pin 3427 through a conductive wire 343 buried at a conductive wire recess. In this case, one connector 340 may be formed to integrate a plurality of signal lines with each other.

Although not shown, the first terminal pin and the second terminal pin are provided at the core holder. Here, the signal line may be directly connected to the terminal pins without an additional connector.

The signal transmission device for an air conditioner according to the present invention may be variously applied to a multi-type air conditioner having a refrigerant pipe buried at a building.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. 

1. A core assembly for an air conditioner, comprising: a connection pipe for connecting to a refrigerant pipe that passes refrigerant between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of an air conditioner; a core encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe, wherein the core is configured to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe; and a core holder configured to accommodate the core therein, wherein the core holder is integrally coupled to the connection pipe.
 2. The core assembly of claim 1, wherein contact surfaces of the core holder and the connection pipe are bonded together via a bonding force between the contact surface of the core holder and the contact surface of the connection pipe.
 3. The core assembly of claim 1, wherein the connection pipe includes a first connector at a first end of the connection pipe and a second connector at a second end of the connection pipe, wherein the first and second connector are configured to connect to the refrigerant pipe by screw-coupling or by bonding.
 4. The core assembly of claim 1, wherein the core is formed in a ring shape.
 5. The core assembly of claim 3, wherein the core includes one or more sections arranged along a lengthwise direction of the connection pipe.
 6. The core assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the core holder is between an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe and an inner circumferential surface of the core.
 7. The core assembly of claim 1, further comprising a signal terminal coupled to the connection pipe and configured to transmit and/or receive an electric signal through the refrigerant pipe by contacting the connection pipe, wherein the signal terminal is individually coupled to the core holder.
 8. A core assembly for an air conditioner, comprising: a connection pipe for connecting to a refrigerant pipe that passes refrigerant between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of an air conditioner; and a core encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe, wherein the core is configured to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe, wherein the core is formed in a ring shape and is integrally coupled to the connection pipe.
 9. The core assembly of claim 8, wherein contact surfaces of the core and the connection pipe are bonded together via a bonding force between the contact surface of the core and the contact surface of the connection pipe.
 10. The core assembly of claim 8, wherein the core is formed of a powder type-soft magnetic substance.
 11. The core assembly of claim 8, wherein the connection pipe includes a first connector at a first end of the connection pipe and a second connector at a second end of the connection pipe.
 12. The core assembly of claim 11, wherein the first and second connectors are configured to connect to the refrigerant pipe by screw-coupling or by bonding.
 13. An air conditioner, comprising: a core assembly configured to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through a refrigerant pipe that passes refrigerant is between an outdoor unit heat exchanger and an indoor unit heat exchanger, wherein the core assembly includes a first connector that connects to a connector of the outdoor unit heat exchanger or the indoor unit heat exchanger and a second connector that connects to a connector of the refrigerant pipe.
 14. The air conditioner of claim 13, wherein either the first connector or the second connector connect by bolts and nuts.
 15. The air conditioner of claim 13, wherein either the first connect and the second connector connect by welding.
 16. The air conditioner of claim 13, wherein the core assembly includes: a connection pipe that connects to the refrigerant pipe; a core encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe, wherein the core is configured to implement the impedance with respect to the electric signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe; and a signal terminal configured to transmit and/or receive an electric signal through the refrigerant pipe.
 17. The air conditioner of claim 16, further comprising a core holder configured to accommodate the core therein, wherein the core holder is integrally coupled to the connection pipe.
 18. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the core is formed in a ring shape.
 19. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the core is implemented as a plurality of partial cores having an arc shape.
 20. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the signal terminal is coupled to the connection pipe by being separated from the core holder.
 21. A core assembly for an air conditioner, comprising: a core configured to encompass an outer circumferential surface of a pipe and to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through the pipe; a core holder configured to accommodate at least a portion of the core therein; a signal terminal configured to transmit and/or receive an electric signal through the pipe by contacting the pipe; and a terminal pin penetrating the core holder for passing the electric signal between the signal terminal and an external electrical connector.
 22. The core assembly of claim 21, wherein the core includes a plurality of partial cores. 